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Railroad gauges Millville's interest in lease

MILLVILLE – The city is exploring an idea from short-line railroad operator OmniTRAX Inc. to lease space at the municipal public works facility on South 15th Street for a temporary truck-loading operation.

OmniTRAX entered the market in South Jersey in September 2019 when it paid $105 million for Winchester & Western Railroad Co. The company has about 48 miles of track and wants to expand its client base.

The “trans-loading site” is to test local business interest in truck-to-rail service, according to City Commissioner Ashleigh Udalovas.

Samantha Silvers, city planning and economic development supervisor, told commissioners Tuesday night that OmniTRAX approached her a few weeks ago with the idea.

“(This) gives them a spot to land and gives them a spot to solicit business, see how much it grows,” Silvers said. The company is looking at other locations as well, she said.

Silvers said the site would be in a field in the southern section of the roughly 10-acre facility. Road access and security improvements would be needed and OmniTRAX would be responsible for the cost, she said.

“This is very high level and they don’t even know if it’s a concept that will move forward,” Silvers said.

OmniTRAX is one of North America's largest private railroad and transportation management companies. It is affiliated with The Broe Group, which it says gives access to specialized industrial development and real estate solutions.

“We are exploring all opportunities to bring new business to the area and our railroad to continue to help businesses find efficiency and savings with the benefit of rail transportation," Peter Touesnard, chief commercial officer for OmniTRAX, said Thursday. "We greatly appreciate how the community has welcomed us and look forward to building a long, bountiful relationship in New Jersey.”

Joe Smith is a Philly native transplanted to South Jersey more than 30 years ago. He is a former editor and current senior staff writer at The Daily Journal in Vineland. Have a news tip? Reach out at (856) 563-5252 or jsmith@thedailyjournal.com or follow me on Twitter, @jpsmith-dj. Help support local journalism with a subscription to The Daily Journal.